The Scoop Blog

Former Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks settles several lawsuits

Attorneys for Tom Hicks have been busy wrapping up some of the former sports mogul’s legal troubles this month.

One lawsuit was settled early this month while two other cases were settled Monday for undisclosed amounts. All relate either to Hicks’ business dealings as the former Texas Rangers owner or his ambitious but failed plans for a huge mixed-used development next to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

On Monday, a Dallas County lawsuit filed against Hicks by former Dallas Mavericks owner Don Carter was dismissed at the request of both sides. That same day, a Tarrant County lawsuit that Glorypark developer Steiner + Associates had filed against Hicks was also settled.

A third lawsuit, filed by RTKL architects and Vratsinas Construction against Hicks’ companies, was also settled Sept. 4 in Dallas County. That lawsuit was also related to work performed on the Glorypark project. No dollar amount was revealed in that settlement.

Steven K. DeWolf, an attorney presenting Carter, said he couldn’t comment on details of the settlement because of a confidentiality agreement. But he said everyone is glad to end the lawsuit.

“Mr. Carter is pleased with the settlement,” DeWolf said. “Both sides were not eager to go forward with the litigation if we could resolve it otherwise.”

Darrell Adkerson, one of the lawyers representing Steiner + Associates, also said he couldn’t go into details about the settlement other than to say his clients were happy.

Attorneys for Hicks were not available for comment late Wednesday afternoon.

In the lawsuit filed by Carter, the Mavericks’ founding owner claimed Hicks used their joint real estate company to enrich Hicks’ wealth via his ownership of the Rangers. Carter, who owned 20 percent of Southwest Sports Realty Partners, said Hicks’ business decisions devalued his stake in the real estate firm. The lawsuit claims those same business moves, however, generated more money for Hicks through his stake in the Rangers.

The team eventually filed for bankruptcy, and Hicks lost control of the organization. Hicks also lost ownership of the Dallas Stars and English soccer team Liverpool F.C.

In the Glorypark case dismissed Monday, Steiner claimed Hicks shut down the development without consulting the Ohio-based firm. The Steiner lawsuit was seeking at least $14.5 million in reimbursement for breech of contract and other claims. The developer also claimed to be owed a portion of the Glorypark land.

Glorypark had been envisioned as a half-billion-dollar, 1.2-million-square-foot development between Rangers Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium. Several businesses – including a Westin Hotel – had been announced as tenants when the project faltered. Hicks announced in May 2008 that the development had been put on hold because of the credit crunch as the national economy faltered. Eventually, the project was shut down.